GREENSBORO, N.C. – A jury has awarded a North Carolina woman $9 million from her husband’s lover after ruling the other woman ruined their marriage.

The News & Record of Greensboro reports the jury ruled this week in 60-year-old Cynthia Shackelford’s alienation of affection case. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allow jilted spouses to sue over affairs.

Shackelford says her husband was a Greensboro attorney when he started an affair before separating from her in April 2005.

The other woman didn’t respond to a message left by the newspaper.

Shackelford’s lawyer says she might not get the full $9 million, but Shackelford wanted to send a message that the sanctity of marriage should be respected.